Hi Jennifer,

I am now 2.5 weeks post-op for removal of ssc of the left lateral border of the tongue. I also had a modified neck dissection removing 30 nodes (which were clear). I had no history of leukoplakia, however. Although my nodes were clear on an MRI, my surgeon felt that MRI's are 85% accurate and insisted I agree to their removal. I am happy I did, as for me, living with that 15% would have driven me crazy.
Sounds like your ENT is doing the right thing for you taking immediate action. Mentally, you want to get things going as quickly as possible.
Certainly, every case is different, but I can tell you that I am thrilled with my progress and am speaking normally already, eating almost everything, however, slowly. Please feel free to email me directly, if you would like and we can then speak on the phone at any time as this sometimes is the best way to deal with this situation. I was fortunate to have someone before and many after my surgery who helped me a great deal in handling things.

Good luck and I hope to hear from you. This can be beat and it will be.

Jerry